A Blue Christmas

I did a couple of Christmas projects recently that actually deviated from my red-and-white-at-Christmas obsession. Unbelievable, right? {wink!} They were both just small projects, but hopefully they will get your creative juices flowing and be a help to you.

When you stop and think about it, snow has nothing to do with Christmas. Other than Christmas is in the winter, but that still doesn't associate it with snow. Lots of people live in places where it doesn't snow at all, yet we still often think of snowmen and such as "Christmas decor." I guess it is ok, since Christmas Day is the only day I allow it to snow. {wink!} Anyhow, these two projects involved snowflakes and a blue color scheme. Here's to being different!

The first was our church's bulletin board. You saw how I fixed it up for Fall/Thanksgiving, but it was high time for the leaves to come down and something Christmasy to go up. I chose a design with a whole lot less cutting this time, lol!

We had the snowflake border on hand already, so I just went with that theme to make things simple. I covered the cork with white paper tablecloth from our huge roll at the church, and securely stapled the border around the sides. I decided to cover up the wood frame as well, to make the board look bigger.

I printed off 4 Christmas bulbs {I got a red one from Microsoft clip art and just colorized it to the shades I wanted} and stapled them with some gold string to help them look authentic.

Very little cutting, which was great! I think the end result turned out nice! We are currently using the board for Christmas/Thank you cards the church receives. After Christmas is over, I'll just pop those ornaments off and we'll be good to go for the rest of the winter!

That was my first blue project. The second was fixing up some goody bags for the families in the church I attend.

I made a batch of these Christmas cookies and bagged them up in these cute baggies I got at...wait for it...the dollar store. {Love that place!}

These cookies are so, so good! Soft, with yummy frosting and sprinkles. I love sprinkles. And the recipe makes around 50 cookies, so they are a great choice when giving them away.

I whipped up a little label to sign my name to, which made things easy! I enjoy giving a small gift like this instead of just a plain old Christmas card. And using a printable means I don't have to think of words to write in a card, either. {wink!} #nowyouknowtherealme

You can download these labels for your own use if you go here. Obviously, they won't have my name on them. :) You can sign your own, or write personal notes on the back. If you enjoy using snowflakes or blue and white at Christmas, I think you'll enjoy these!

So those are my two small, non-red-and-white projects. Do you like blue color schemes at Christmas? Do you fix up goody bags? Anyone think I should go back to red and white now? I thought so..

Christmas Party

I  may or may not have mentioned my new opportunity this fall to assist with a Bible study at our local nursing home. Did I talk about this before? No?

I assist a lady with a Bible study each week at our local nursing home. There, now I've mentioned it! :)

Yesterday was our last meeting until after the new year, and we threw a Christmas party for the residents! I took my two younger sisters to help out and provide some music, and a great time was had by all! You may remember us helping out with this same party last year.

It is such a privilege to be able to help out with this meeting, and meet and befriend these dear folks. Many of them have sharp minds and quick wits, and it is truly fun to be with them for an hour or so each week! It has been a blessing to see this group grow, and the excitement of each one as they come out. It is such a privilege to serve the Lord, isn't it?

Here are some pictures of our Christmas party this year:

Isn't that a great group of people? I always start by playing the piano for about 30 minutes as the residents are making their way in. Mrs. H, the lady that runs the study, did some Christmas trivia with the folks...they were amazing! They knew all the answers!

Rachel and Carrie sang them some Christmas carols, and then we played "Name That Tune." Again, they did great! I would play the first three notes and they would start shouting out the answer. I only was able to stump them on one song, I believe it was "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne." It was so fun!

There was treats...lots and lots of treats!

No one went away hungry, and everyone was able to take a plate of goodies back to their rooms as well!

You may remember Candy, the dog, who makes weekly visits to the nursing home. He was present for our party this year, too, with gifts for each of the ones that attend the Bible study.

Of course, he dressed for the part.

The back of his Santa suit says, "Ho, ho ho!" :)

And let me say a word about the decor.

Whomever is in charge of the decor at this nursing home does an excellent job. The nursing home is huge...the building is just over a year old, and is spread out in 8 different "houses." Between these houses are long hallways. Each house has its own kitchen, dining area, and living room with a big screen TV. It is really nice. And the entire thing is decorated to the hilt. I wished I had time to just run around and snag pictures of the different displays and decor, but unfortunately I didn't. Kudos to the decorating committee!

Besides the presents and fun, Mrs. H shared a brief Christmas devotional and read the Christmas story. Our prayer is that the Lord will use this season to work in the hearts of the residents that don't yet have a relationship with Christ! What a fantastic Christmas present that would be!!

So there's our Christmas party for this year. Anyone else attending parties this week? I have two more before the week is out! What things make your party(s) special and unique?

My Own Christmas Decor

If you follow my Facebook page, you might remember a few weeks ago when my siblings "christmas-bombed" my room...

Well, I lived with it that way for a week...simply because I didn't have a chance to change it! The time came, however, when I just couldn't put up with the cluttery feeling any more. It was time to do some decorating on my own!

I started by taking everything down and out that I didn't want. I pulled my Christmas totes out of the attic, and started unpacking things.

I feel like I have a lot of Christmas stuff. Considering the fact that I don't yet have my own home to decorate, but I have enough stuff to decorate a whole house. Most of my stuff has a lot of sentimental value, so it is hard to decide what gets put out and what stays packed away! So I came up with a plan...I wanted to keep things very simple, with a red and white theme. That helped determine what to use! Here is my main focal point, the top of my dresser:

I (cleaned off the top of the dresser and then) covered it with a white faux sheepskin-type piece of material. On top, I put these special ceramic pieces:

My Nana painted these waaaay back in the 70's, but as long as I can remember she set them out each year, and often I was the one to help her. When she passed away 9 (!!) years ago, my mom took these and has since passed them on to me.

I personally think she did a great job. Santa and Mrs. Claus are sitting on ceramic benches. Mrs. Clause is mending Santa's hat, and Santa is painting a sled (which balances precariously on his hand...and scares the bejeezers out of me when it falls off unexpectedly.)

In between these two, I empties the bowl that held my textured balls of yarn before, and filled it with red and white Christmas ribbons. Easy, matches the color scheme, and it was free! win, win!

Above Mrs. Claus' head, I swapped out some art from my gallery wall to help tie everything together.

I hung a small Christmas spatula, covered one picture like a present, and then popped another piece of pretty wrapping paper in the other frame. Again, easy and free!

Further down the wall I included my Subway Art Bucket list, right where I can see it every day. Love it!

Here is a shot of the gallery wall as it looks now:

The other changes I made to the room were just simple things, swapping out normal decor for Christmas stuff. Like this shelf over my headboard...

Other than my not-so-glamorous alarm clock (ha!) I just popped a few things on the shelf to "Christmasize" it. I hung several snowman ornaments from the pegs to at least display some of my ornaments!

I also pushed some books back on my shelf to make room for my manger scene, which I've had since I was a very little girl. I believe my great-grandmother gave it to me.

And that is all! My siblings like to walk in my room and say, "when are you going to decorate in here?" because they don't think I did enough decorating. :) I, however, am enjoying the minimalistic approach, and the red and white vibe throughout. Plus, the sentimental value of these things means more than a room full of decor!

Where do you fall on the decorating bandwagon? Do you keep things simple or go "all out?" any sentimental items you couldn't part with?

Christmas Bucket List {and Subway Art printable}

Just a rare Saturday post to bring you a little something I didn't have a chance to share yesterday!

I whipped up this Bucket List Subway Art the other night after thinking about Christmas countdown/Advent traditions. For one hot second I thought about doing something similar...you know, 25 days of something to count down the days to Christmas. But considering it was Thursday night and I had a whole one day to think about it, I decided to forgo that idea. I also get a little scared about committing to something that is 7 days a week. With my unique situation on Sundays (traveling an hour to church, and staying there all day) I pretty much don't think I could commit to something every.single.day.of.the.week.

So...instead, I made a list of the things I'd like to do before Christmas. And put it in a Subway art format because I love Subway art. And decided to share it with you!

I'd be happy to send you this 8x10" art if you just leave me a comment and your email address. I'll be sure to show you next week how I'm using it in my Christmas decor!

Do you count down to Christmas? Are you an Advent calendar person? Or a non-committer like me? =)

Psst: You can see all my other Christmas printables here.

Double-Psst: My BFF started 25 Days to Christmas on her blog today...I know it is going to be a great series, and you should check it out!

Our Family's Christmas Decor {36 Days 'til Christmas!}

I abandoned Top Ten Tuesday today {we'll be back next week!} and decided instead to share our Christmas decor with you!

With Canadian thanksgiving long past, we don't have to wait to put up our decor...we can do it anytime! I shared yesterday on my Facebook page how I still "feel" like it is too early...but I suppose there is no such thing, right?

Last Saturday was the big day, and my younger siblings especially had a blast putting up "Christmas." I didn't get pictures of everything, but I did take some highlights for ya.

Oh, and before I show them to you, don't be expecting some beautiful, Biltmore-esque fancy pants decor. We're a normal family with small kids that has collected stuff over the years that doesn't all match. And we like it that way. Bam.

Mom made a space to set up her Christmas village on these shelves in the living room:

The stockings were hung by the piano with care.... {and the top of the piano is decorated as well.}

And yep, those stockings are already full. Some people think it is odd to do it so early, because isn't Santa supposed to come on Christmas Eve? Well, for one we won't be here on Christmas Eve {we do our stockings a couple days ahead} and my mom's reasoning is, she doesn't want to wait until the last minute only to discover one person's stocking is only partially filled. So she does it now. And we all resist the urge to peek. {that is why those top presents are wrapped!}

Here is a close up of the cute snowman buddy on the piano:

He blinks red and green lights. Pretty cute!

My Grammie painted these wooden letters for us last year, which we decided to display all together. We just need to stick a pin in Judah's to keep it upright! #bettergetonthat

Our family's tradition is to receive a new ornament from mom each year, which we get to open on the day we put up the tree.

Judah seemed to enjoy the whole opening presents thing. He will get a whole lot more practice tomorrow, since it is his first birthday!!!! Wowzers!

My ornament was a purple sparkly treble clef. And Judah wanted to help.

His expression clearly says, "Give. me. Christmas." {that is what we call the decorations when we are talking to him. "See the pretty Christmas?" or "Don't touch Christmas!" He loves all the pretty lights!}

I didn't get a picture of the completed tree, but here is Drama Queen Carrie in front of it:

As you can imagine, getting a new ornament each year means they really add up. The idea is that when we move away and have our own trees, we'll have something to put on them. Until then...the tree is pretty much crazy-town. I don't even put my ornaments on anymore, since I estimated I have about 75 ornaments just myself! (One from mom each year, one from my Grammie each year, and then other random ones from other people.)

And for the first time in my life, we put some lights outside:

Just a single strand around our front porch, but it is pretty to look at, and since our house sits so far from the road, it kind of says, "Hey, there is a house back here!" to the people on the main road. Now if they don't all get blown off before Christmas!

Those are our totally unprofessional but kid-friendly decorations. Anyone else do any decorating yet? Any family traditions involving ornaments and trees? Are you a matchy-matchy decorator, or do you just throw things together?

Over the River and Through the Woods

Technically we went over the bay of Fundy and through the woods, but who's getting technical...we did go to Grandmothers house! We spent Christmas day with my Dad's parents, and had a blast, as always! My siblings and I created this gingerbread house:

Seriously, if gingerbread houses aren't in your list of traditions yet, they totally should be! We don't necessarily do one every year, but it is fun!

This was, "one, two, okaytakeyourfingeroff, THREE!" Little late, perhaps?

Somehow Justin missed this picture...and since Judah didn't help much, he didn't make it, either.

See the icicles? Pat me on the back...that was all me. Came out pretty good, don't you think?


I thought of it too late, but I totally should have done some "house crashing" on my Grammies Christmas decor. Because she does such a good job and has such cute stuff everywhere! Like this drawer she pulled out (under her TV) and filled with lights and bulbs...genius! So pretty! I'll be keeping the house-crashing idea in mind next year!

Her lovely tree....

She has waited years and years to have a staircase to decorate, and last year was the first year in their new home. So pretty!

And of couse, the newest grandchild just soaked it all in...

Such a cutie!

We did a whole lot more that day, like open presents and play games and EAT, but we didn't get many good pictures of that. You know what it looks like, anyway, when a family comes together and has a great time. We did just that!

Hope you all enjoyed family as much as we did!

Coffee Chats: Merry Christmas!

Hey folks, welcome to our chat! Come on in a sit a spell. We're only chatting once this month because of the ca-raziness of the Christmas season, but we hope you'll join us in reminiscing about our childhood Christmases and discussing plans for this year. Join us in the comments section, and we hope you'll stop in again real soon!


Nicole : I can not believe Christmas is here already.

Holly: I can, but I can't at the same time. Yes, the year is flying, but I love October-December so much that it's what I look forward to every year.

Nicole: Yes, I agree that it is the best time of the year!

Holly: Are you ready for the big day(s)?

Nicole: Of course not.

Holly: Haha!

Nicole: I still have some presents to finish up, and I'm scurrying to get everything ready for our Christmas program on the 23rd. I just have to finalize a few costumes and props, and (hopefully) that will be ready to go. How about you?

Holly: Whew, you're busy! Surprisingly, I am ready for Christmas! Presents are all bought and pretty much wrapped and mailed. I just need to make some cards and tags. Our Christmas cantata is over, road trip to Chicago planned, and all we need to do is pack and give our dog a bath and trim. Which, I will gladly pay anyone to do for me...

Nicole: Sounds like a blast. ;)

Holly: The only place I'm not ready for Christmas is work. Where I am so far behind that it makes my head hurt to think about it. :)

Nicole: Ouch, not cool. Are you doing any baking for the holidays?

Holly: Kinda. We have a young married's class Christmas party this weekend, and I'm making some cute appetizers and yummy peppermint chocolate shortbread for that. Other than that, I don't have any baking to do. And I must say, I'm enjoying it :)

Nicole: Peppermint.Chocolate.Shortbread. Oh my stars.

Holly: Yeah...can't remember where I found it, but I'll have to pin them. How did your cookies turn out the other day?

Nicole: They came out really nice, we had tons and tons! Sprinkles were EVERYWHERE!

Holly: How fun!

Nicole: Yes, it was fun, especially with 5 kids to help...we just won't say how many times fingers were licked in the process!

Holly: Ummm....good thing I'm not eating any of those cookies! That brings back memories of making sugar cookies with my mom and sister though.

Nicole: Yes, I always did it growing up, too.

Holly: It's been several years since I've made any, unfortunately.

Nicole: Sugar cookies are pretty much my *favorite*...but maybe that is because we mostly only have them for this one season? I'm not sure!

Holly: They are delicious. Especially with yummy, colorful icing. Or is it frosting? I can't keep that straight.

Nicole: Frosting on mine. Icing would be the thinner stuff. (In my opinion)

Holly: Gotcha. Are you done with baking, or are you just getting started?

Nicole: Pretty much done, I think. I made the things for the Ladies Meeting and the cookies yesterday, my mom is finishing up some sweet breads today. I don't think I will have too much more to do in the cooking department.

Holly: So, do you have a big Christmas Eve or Christmas meal?

Nicole: We do have a big Christmas meal with my grandparents (which will actually be on Christmas Day for a change...imagine that) and then with the other side of the family we actually have a big breakfast meal, at noon. We're weird like that.

Holly: Breakfast is definitely good anytime of the day!

Nicole: Yes, and we have a spread, let me tell you. It is so yummy. What will you be doing this year for a Christmas meal?

Holly: I have no idea. This is my first full Christmas day not in Ohio with my family since I was 4 or 5. Sob. My family always had our big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve because we didn't want to do dishes on Christmas Day. Go figure. We always had finger food and just hung out munching on Christmas Day. I love it. But...this is the first year to spend the holiday with the in-laws, so I really don't know what to expect.

Nicole: Sounds exciting! "Firsts" can be lots of fun. Have you and Andrew made any of your own Christmas traditions yet?

Holly: Kind of. In college we started the tradition of going to McAdenville, NC (aka: Christmastown, USA) to view the absolutely gorgeous lights. It's even better this year since we only live 15 minutes away now.

Nicole: Oooh, I've been there a couple times too! I'd forgotten about that place.

Holly: Something I started this year and we're going to do as a family next year, is the observation of Advent. I use Ann Voskamp's Advent devotional, and it has been so amazing to go through this year. It really sets my mind on the true Reason for Christmas. I'm kind of sad our denomination doesn't observe it, but as a family we always will. We plan to stay home next year for Christmas, so I'm sure we'll get more traditions then.

Nicole: That is a great idea! I know a lot of people, regardless of religion, observe some type of Advent to get their minds focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

My family has a gazillion traditions (no joke...ok, practically) but the main one that stays the same is family. Some of my extended family I only see at Christmas, and it is an extra special time getting caught up with each one in person and not over Facebook. Nothing compares to the in-person chats.

Holly: That is the neatest thing about your family. Most families aren't that close, and that is so special.

Nicole: It sure is! My Aunt is like a hostessing queen and always has the house decorated nice and everything all festive.

Holly: I love, love, love decorating for Christmas!

Nicole: Have you had fun decorating your new house this year?

Holly: Oh yes!! I did a post about that on Tuesday. It's been so much fun since, and I know this is weird, but the entire decorating scheme of the living room is done to make Christmas look amazing. My Christmas decor colors are red, white, silver, and a little green. So the white couch and gray walls really make it look nice. I had a blast!

Nicole: I love, love red and white decor. Love it. Did I mention I love it?

Holly: You may have.

Nicole: I absolutely botched any of my own Christmas decorating this year (as in, all my decorations are still in bins...sad, but I can barely see my carpet yet anyway, so I didn't bother) but I had fun with the decorating at the church. It is so much fun to take an idea and see it all pull together!

Holly: I saw that, it looks great!

Nicole: Do you purchase any decor items after Christmas, when stuff goes on sale?

Holly: I did last year. I got 60 silver and red glass ball ornaments at Target the day after Christmas for $6 or $7. Score. I really don't need any Christmas decor right now though, so I didn't buy any this year and probably won't even get any after Christmas either. You?

Nicole: No, not usually. Most of my decor just accumulates from who knows where. And most of the stuff at the church becomes a, "stink, I ran out of lights" trip to the store. I am usually more interested in buying the discounted Christmas chocolate than anything. ;)

Holly: Haha! Good plan!! Clothing bargains are my favorite the day after Christmas. That's another my family's traditions: shopping :)

Nicole: Oh yeah? Sounds fun!

Holly: It is! It's funny, 'cause some families don't think they have a ton of traditions, like ours, but if you search hard enough, you can find them!

Nicole: Yes, I think you would notice the traditions even more if some dared to suggest not doing them...I know for us, its cries of, "But we ALWAYS do that!"

Holly: So true.

We can't close the chat without mentioning some of our favorite Christmas songs: secular and sacred.

Nicole Oh yes...Rocking around the Christmas tree!

...just kidding, just kidding!!

Holly: You slay me.

Nicole: No seriously, I have to say "O Holy Night" is one of my top 5.

Holly: Me too!! I get all teary-eyed every time I hear it! "Silent Night" too. There's just something about it.

Nicole: As for non-sacred, I have always liked "Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow" for some weird reason....because I don't really want it to snow, I just like the song.

Holly: I like "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" because I was actually married by a "Parson Brown". No kidding. Except we call him Pastor Brown, but same difference. It makes me giggle. And this is a new one, but I cry every. single. time. I hear "Christmas Shoes." Apparently I cry at a lot of Christmas songs....

Nicole: Yes, yes, love the christmas shoes song! (I can hear Ben mocking us now...oh well)

Growing up we always listened to the "all Christmas music station" for the whole month of December ("Star, one-oh-one!" was the name of the station...I can still hear it now). There was this sweet song called "The Maine Christmas Carol" about the spirit of Maine at Christmas time....so sweet and "homey" feeling!

Holly: Awww... I love songs like that! "Christmas in Killarny," I think Bing Crosby sings it, is like that too. I love it. Back home Sunny 95 is our all Christmas station. Here it's 102.5, but it doesn't have the same ring to it. :) My mom loved a Christmas tape she had by the Statler Brothers, it was full of those old-timey, feel good Christmas songs, and we found the CD a few years back. Now Andrew and I love to listen to it.

Nicole: My mom is addicted to Karen Carpenter...harder to find these days, but totally a tradition for us!

Holly: Oh yes, they are Christmas classics! And who doesn't like Linus and Lucy, the famous piano song from the beloved Charlie Brown Christmas?

Nicole: Oh yes, they are with Rudolph and Frosty in a class all their own!

Holly: Awww, I'm homesick for childhood now!

Nicole: You can watch them as an adult. Its ok at Christmas. :)

Holly: I know, and I do. I had to introduce Charlie Brown Christmas to my husband. Still have to get him to watch Frosty and Rudolph too since he's never seen those. So it's fun to see him watch them for the first time.

Nicole: WHAT!!??!! Your poor, deprived husband.

Holly: I know, I know.

Nicole: I'm surprised he survived childhood without them!

Holly: We're in therapy now for that. Just kidding!!

Oh, and true story: when I worked retail, the store I worked in had TVs everywhere that usually played sports stuff. The night that Charlie Brown Christmas was on, I convinced my manager to let us turn it on all the TVs. It was great. We had customers standing around watching!

Nicole: Oh how fun! I just love that at Christmas, anyone can get away with stuff like that.

Holly: Yes, it's fantastic, and most everyone is in a great mood!

Well folks, we want to wish you all a very Merry CHRISTmas, and we'd love to hear all about your Christmas traditions, decorating, baking, and all other things holiday related! Share with us in the comments section!

Pinteresting Decorating

Yes, make that the 350th dorky pun about Pinterest, but I just couldn't help it. :) I shared some of the decorating I did in the auditorium of our church, now I'd like to show you what I did in the fellowship hall!

Seriously, what did we do before Pinterest? A lot of my ideas came from there. (Here is a link to my Christmas board for ya.) In most cases I took an idea and tweaked it to make it my own. I was very pleased with the results! I did a red and white theme, which I think is just super elegant for Christmas. I know the traditional colors are red and green, but there is something about red and white that slays me.

I decorated this room primarily for a Ladies Christmas Supper that we had on Tuesday night. Here are some of my centerpieces:

Just different sized red and silver balls in a glass vase, all from our local Dollar Store.

Starlight mints in a narrow vase. Do you know how hard of a time I had to find red starlight mints??? I finally had to settle for the red and green ones in a mixed bag. For pete's sake Canada, get with the program. ;)

Pillar candles in glass holders, with a large cloth napkin, some glass beads, silver ribbon, and a random bowl of green (sigh) mints. (Shh...don't tell anyone, but I have a little bowl upside down under one of the candles to make it taller. It will be our little secret, mk?)

More small red and silver balls in another style vase. 

Here are some shots of how the tables looked:

Garland and glass beads ran randomly down the middle of each table.

The table for food had some of those cloth napkins, some garland and a few colored lights running down the middle. Oh, and a beautiful orange, heavy duty extension cord to power the lights.

The drink station - more colored lights and a cute snowflake tablecloth.

The long tables again....so pretty!

I'll be back in a day or so to share what I planned for the menu and the games that we played. It was a fun night! I have missed these ladies, and am so thankful I had this opportunity to have a Christmas supper with them.